Herbert (Dale) Edwards

Posted: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 2013

MONTE VISTA — Herbert (Dale) Edwards was born July 13, 1929 in Monte Vista, Colo. He was the second child born to Myrtie (Bond) Edwards and Herbert Guy Edwards.

Dale graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1947 and immediately enlisted into the Army. Dale served his country for 5 years during the Korean War. He returned to the San Luis Valley in 1952 and worked odd jobs until 1959 when he began working on the McNeil Hereford Ranch in Monte Vista.

On Oct. 17, 1969, Dale married Anne (Hindes) Edwards and lovingly became a father to her four children, Sue, Jeff, Sally and Lynne Parrish. Together, he and Anne brought their daughter, Jennifer Daleen Edwards into the world on Oct. 31, 1970. Dale had a special and strong bond with his grandson, Gavin Dale Edwards, who he helped raise and taught him all he knew, on the ranch.

Dale began working for Henry and Edna McNeil as a ranch hand in 1959, and later for Bill and Jayne McNeil, and finally for Mike and Cathy McNeil. The McNeil family, including Maureen, Kathleen, Kerry, Janeen, Pat and Mike as well as their spouses and children have always been an extension of Dale’s own family.

Whether it was working with cattle and horses, fixing machinery, doing carpentry work; whatever needed done on the ranch, Dale did it! With his even, pleasant disposition, he was one of the nicest men you’d ever meet. Never said no to a task and never gave up on anything. One of Dale’s favorite things to do was when he and the McNeil’s would move the cattle to The Triangle, which is in the Cat Creek area every June 16 and then trail them over several days to the Conejos River. Dale would be the lead horseman and the cattle would instinctively and trustingly follow him over the hill where they would graze in the beautiful mountains near Platoro, Colorado. Mike McNeil very proudly boasted, “Dale was the best irrigator the ranch has ever had and he taught me all I know!!” Dale was a true cowboy.

Dale retired from the McNeil Ranch in 2005 and in August, 2010, moved to Dalhart, TX, to be near his children.

Dale was a 50+-year member of The Monte Vista Elks Lodge, #2456. He also had a passion for the outdoors and called the mountains, “God’s Country.” He spent so much time in the mountains; he knew every trail, every river, every hill and every valley. He loved to hunt, fish, and camp and he truly enjoyed an ice-cold beer every now and then. He adored his children and grandchildren.

Dale was preceded in death by the love of his life, Anne, who passed away in April, 1985 of breast cancer.